U.S. Rep. Tim Walz will not run for governor in 2010.

Word had been circulating that Walz was calling key supporters to inform them of his plans. Walz confirmed his decision in an interview with MinnPost moments ago.

This bluntly:

Me: "I'm calling to confirm rumors that you have decided not to run for governor."

Walz: "That's correct."

Walz, a Democrat from Mankato who was just elected to a second House term, said this was "not a heart-wrenching decision," that he never gave the idea of running for governor serious consideration and that he will stay focused on the issues coming before the Congress.

"I'm in the right position to help the people in my district in this critical time," Walz said.

"We were never going to do it," he said, of the wide-open governor's race.

Speculation that Walz might run for governor has been around for months, and he was widely viewed as a top-tier candidate in the likely DFL field.

Walz, a National Guard veteran with strong interest in military international issues, said those interest and experiences were among the reasons that staying in Congress was the right decision.

He also said that his personal style and skills seem best suited for the work of a congressman.